System and method for remote cross platform portable simulcast network

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a method and system for a single broadband portal where all content may be delivered to users of varied electronic devices. An example embodiment (i) provides a user interface for enabling user selection of media contents per varied electronic devices, each varied electronic device having a respective platform, the user interface indicating one or more different possible media contents; (ii) accepts from a user requests for distribution service to any of the varied electronic devices of the user, the requests specifying a user desired media content; (ii) locates the user desired media content from a plurality of storage modules; (iv) transmits the user desired media content to at least one of the varied electronic devices of the user; and (v) tracks the transmission of the user desired media content for billing purposes.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This Application is a Continuation of application Ser. No. 11/618,014filed on Dec. 29, 2006, which is hereby incorporated by reference in itsentirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is well known that content rights holders license their content todifferent broadcasters and exhibitors. Many times those content rightslicense holders also license out their rights in parcels acrossdifferent media platforms such as theatrical, wireless, retail, pay perview, online as well as parceled domestic and international rights.Generally speaking, the term “platform” encompasses the underlyingsystem and standards that are used to provide a particular service. Theplatform refers to the combination of standards that provide theoperating environment for the specific service. The platform may specifyan Application Programming Interface (API) that provides functions orconventions by which the application accesses lower-level services.Media platform may be a digitized platform for media that allowsreal-time and/or delayed delivery of video, audio and/or data tomultiple networks such as telco, cable, satellite, digital terrestrialbroadcasting and broadband. Delivery can be made via a variety ofdevices possibly including mobile phones, set-top boxes, PDAs andcomputers. Often the content can be produced generically, eliminatingthe need for platform-specific content production tools.

Currently, several models exist that have distributors of certain mediarights exercising the right to distribute licensed content across one ormore bargained for media platforms. There are scores of mediadistributors distributing millions of pieces of content, from ringtones, to films, to television, radio programs to computer softwarecovering both cached programming and live events. Some distributors maybe solely focused on distributing a certain type of content for certaindevices. For instance, there are some distributors who distribute onlyring tones to certain cell phone service providers and only to certaincompatible cell phones. There are also many distributors who distributeto multiple formats such as brick and mortar retailers, wireless serviceproviders and digital online distribution services. The range andbreadth of distribution reach and content carried, both licensed andunlicensed content, by specific distributors, runs the gamut.

Conventional models have different distributors parsing out software,free radio, pay radio, pay per view (PPV) or video on demand (VOD),cable & broadcast rights and multimedia online content to differentexhibitors and, in some cases, the content originator, distributor andexhibitor may be the same entity. The result is that of the millions ofavailable pieces of available content, only music distributors who sellindividual songs aggregate over a million possible content size kindunits (skus) for purchase from the tens of millions of existing skusavailable to the market place for possible purchase.

Unfortunately, this has created a fragmented marketplace where it iscurrently impossible to go to one source to fill the content needs forall of ones electronic devices.

Accordingly, there is a need for a single broadband portal where allcontent may be delivered to users of varied electronic devices. Asrights to such content are in the hands of multiple content providers,distributors and exhibitors, there must be a substantial amount of crosslicensing and shared distribution to enable one interface to deliver allof this content across multiple formats to multiple devices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a multi media on demand service thatenables audio only as well as audiovisual programming to be distributedto a wide range of portable devices and billed through a variety ofsystems. The service centralizes existing on demand services andtransacts business with those services as an intermediary delivering awide range of content to a wide range of devices via numerous devicecodec (compressor-decompressor, coder-decoder, orcompression/decompression encoding) compatibilities built into thesystem. The service enables premium a la carte ordering for consumersenabling any sort of content to be delivered to fit any desired purposefrom viewing full length films to receiving the audio for a ballgame ina crowded establishment where the game is on the establishmenttelevision but the audio cannot be heard.

In a preferred embodiment is a method and system that (i) provides auser interface for enabling user selection of media contents per variedelectronic devices, each varied electronic device having a respectiveplatform, the user interface indicating one or more different possiblemedia contents; (ii) accepts from a user requests for distributionservice to any of the varied electronic devices of the user, therequests specifying a user desired media content; (ii) locates the userdesired media content from a plurality of storage modules; (iv)transmits the user desired media content to at least one of the variedelectronic devices of the user; and (v) tracks the transmission of theuser desired media content for billing purposes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing will be apparent from the following more particulardescription of example embodiments of the invention, as illustrated inthe accompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer tothe same parts throughout the different views. The drawings are notnecessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustratingembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary architecture of a systemembodying the present invention along with a range of devices anddelivery options to deliver media contents.

FIG. 2 illustrates a compatibility grid of the present invention thatdenotes what kind of content may be delivered to specific devices.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a simulcast network menu displayed on adigital music player by the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a simulcast network menu displayed on acomputer by the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a simulcast network menu displayed on acellular phone by the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a simulcast network menu & a sub menudisplayed on a television by the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flow chat detailing the compensation model of a simulcastnetwork system of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a schematic view of a computer environment in which theprinciples of the present invention may be implemented.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of the internal structure of a computer fromthe FIG. 8 computer environment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A description of preferred embodiments of the invention follows.

FIG. 1 illustrates the basic architecture of the system 100 employing anembodiment of the present invention for delivering media of live orcached content when utilizing a digital simulcast network. The system100, in one embodiment of the present invention, contemplates thecohesive delivery of multiple media formats to multiple hardwaredevices. An exemplary system 100 may include a range of electronicdevices having different platforms such as cell phones 105 a, digitalmusic players (iPods) 105 b, computers 105 c, televisions 105 d, andother different delivery methods 105 e, server 105, storage module 125,and third party module 150. The other different delivery methods 105 emay be in different codecs designed & programmed for compatibility withdifferent devices. The server 115 may include a system management 120, acompatibility system 160, registration/ordering system 165 and a generaluser interface 170. The storage module 125 may include a billing system130, a tracking system 135, data storage 140, and software processor145.

The system 100 is capable of delivering a wide range of content beingavailable for selection by users of multiple hardware devices 105 a-105e. An end user (not shown) utilizing one of the electronic devices 105a-105 e having different platforms may send a signal 110 requesting thecentralized general user interface 170. The centralized general userinterface 170 is linked to a registration/ordering system 165 thatenables content to be delivered in multiple formats to electronicdevices 105 a-105 e. The compatibility to deliver to the electronicdevices 105 a-105 e is pre-programmed using the devices API instructionsor custom delivery design programming via the hardware devices designelements and installed media player or via the downloading of a separateplayer application and general user interface software application.

The variety of media content available for selection via the generaluser interface 170 for the network may include music, ring tones,feature films, live and cached television programs, software programsand applications, radio programs and other textual, graphical, audio,video and audiovisual content. The general user interface 170 may alsobe custom branded for distribution, hardware or content partners. Theindividual electronic devices 105 a-105 e may run software interfacesthat are programmed to work with the capabilities of the device. Forinstance, if certain portable devices do not play video content, thenonly textual and audio content options will appear on the interface,which may be updated later via download to accommodate an upgradeddevice that now accepts video. Different interfaces will also requiredifferent download options via a menu selection to download the rightinterface for the right device. Specific interfaces may suit the screensize, functionality, technical and billing demands of the device,network partners and software and content partners. The interface andcontent download system is also be configured for specific devicerequirements utilizing the specifications made available by the deviceAPI's and compatible software formats such as Pocket PC and Symbianamong many others.

Once a request is made for the media content on the general userinterface 170, the registration/ordering system 165 verifies the user'saccount. The compatibility system 160 determines if the media contentrequested by the end user is compatible with one of the end user'selectronic devices 105 a-105 e. Some media content will not be availablebecause the electronic devices 105 a-105 e do not support such mediacontent.

The system management 120 enables delivery of the media content and alsohandle system requests for general user interface downloads or updates(not shown).

The media content may be delivered by the server system 115 via thestorage module 125 or via an arrangement with third party contentproviders 150. The third party content providers 150 may be rightsholders contracting with a company, such as Simulcast Network System 100to provide content to the system 100 in the form of live content as wellas cached content and updates. Once the content has been legallycontracted for inclusion in the Simulcast Network System 100, the mediacontent is then integrated into the system storage module 125. Thisincludes registration of the content and numbering of the content withinthe billing system 130 for billing, corresponding tracking system 135for tracking usage, and storage 140 of the physical content anddigitization processes. The software system 145 may also providesoftware optimization, updates, and downloads.

The media content may be billed and delivered by the billing system 130as part of the storage module 125 or by an intermediary billing anddelivery systems (not shown) instituted by third parties 150 eitherdirectly involved in the content, hardware or distribution of certainitems serviced by the system 100. The delivery and billing may also behandled by certain third parties 150 with no relationship to any item ofcontent, devices or distribution directly involved in the system 100.

The content may be delivered to multiple electronic devices 105 a-105 eplatforms for broadband television viewing and/or online viewing, aswell as for download to cinema quality digital video projection systemsand the like. In certain circumstances, multiple electronic devices 105a-105 e may share or work in tandem with the downloading and deliveryprocesses as well as the content exhibition. One such example of thiswould be a laptop or desktop that downloads the content and then passesthat content to a digital projection system or a television or otherdisplay monitor for exhibition.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary compatibility grid 200 that denotes whatkind of content 205 may be delivered to specific electronic devices 210.The content 205 may include song (digital, audio or music) 240, filmvideo 245, ringtone 250, software 260, image 265, television 270, liveevent 275, and radio 280. The device 210 may include personal computer215, cellular telephones 220 and 225, personal computer broadband 230,and cable broadband 235. Note that the type of device 210 and content205 listed here are only examples and should not be read as limitationsof the present invention. One type of electronic devices 210 may becellular mobile telephones. There are hundreds of cellular telephones,such as Verizon Motorola V3 Razr 220 and Cingular Motorola V3 Razr 225,alone that can be on this compatibility grid 200 and then those phonesmay be further sorted by respective wireless providers hardware & systemspecifications and operating system. Consequently, some content, such asvideo content 240, will not be available for delivery via the system 100to devices that do not support video playback or do not have thestorage, memory or the technical specifications to play certain contentfrom the system. The compatibility grid 200 may be utilized in thestorage 140 of FIG. 1 to confirm or deny content requests, both todeploy available appropriate content menus for devices and to regulateand confirm that requested content 205 will be possible to transmit,play or be available for storage on a specific devices 210.

FIG. 3 illustrates one version of an electronic device, such as oneversion of a digital music player 105 b, with wireless communicationabilities, similar but broader in wireless coverage ability to the NikeiPod for example, displaying a General User Interface (GUI) 170 of thepresent invention that allows the user to access the remote simulcastnetwork servers 115. Just as the Nike iPod allows for users to receivespecialized information about their current running times and pace, byintegrating the GUI 170 and data signal sending capacity signal 110 intothe digital music player 105 b, the user can have the ability to selectspecific content for delivery to the player 105 b. The media content maybe delivered directly from the server 115 to the player 105 b or fromthe server 115 to an intermediary FTP site 320 that communicates to theplayer 105 b.

Because the player 105 b is currently configured as a ‘one-way’ device,i.e. content cannot be downloaded to the device and then stored on aseparate device, the user may, depending on the rights associated withthe specific content involved in delivery to the device, be given theright to simultaneously download the content to an FTP site 320 that canimmediately or sometime later be accessed for downloading signal 325 toa personal computer 330 or other storage medium (not shown). In certaincircumstances the user may only authorize direct download to a thirdparty device (not shown) or storage medium (not shown), choosing to notdownload to the instant device 105 b. The download to the third partydevice (not shown) in all instances may be done instantaneously or thedownload may be cached for later retrieval via password protected accessvia a website 335, via an FTP site 320 or via a link delivered via email340 or instant message 345. Other download methods may also be suitable.

The categories for content to be made available on the present inventionsimulcast network 100 may be displayed on the instant device 105 bthrough interface 170. In the illustrated example, a main menu offerscontent categories such as Live Events 350 encompassing such offeringsas news programs, sports programs, entertainment events, parades andother special events may be one selectable main category. A Music/film355 menu item encompasses live and cached performances of audio andvideo from artists performing at large and small venues from across theworld or via the delivery of cached musical content. A Television show360 menu item enables either live or cached episodes to be delivered tothe devices including any broadcast programming or broadband materialsmade available to the network including, but not limited to, clips fromsources like Youtube.com and other web sites that make content availablefor streaming or download. Further, software 365 may be one of the menuitems available for download in the system through the menu items.Software 365 may be downloaded centrally or from individual producers,distributors or aggregators like download.com, although the origin pointof the content may be invisible to the user who sees a GUI 170 brandedto the device or service, content choices, prices, billing options anddelivery point options. Radio programming 370 may also be a menu itemavailable similar in design to the software menu item 365 andcorresponding downloads.

Rather than just providing a place for two or three kinds of mediacontent, the invention GUI 170 and simulcast and cached media deliverysystem 100 provide a place for any kind of media to be downloaded orstreamed with compensation models in place to reimburse rights holdersand channel owners, either via advertising revenue sharing, userpayments or a combination thereof. In addition to the foregoingcategories of content, a user can make their own content stored on theirhard drive at home, such as the personal computer 330 or other storagefacility available for download (not shown) to a device 105 b within thedigital simulcast network 100 infrastructure. This may be done via theuser hosting the users own content on their own FTP site 320. FTP site320 host content may then be served from a selectable menu item, mycontent 375, on the GUI 170 and either delivered directly to the device105 b, or correctly formatted for the device 105 b by a simulcastnetwork central server 115 formatting tool (compatibility system 160)and then sent via the data sending signal 110 to the device 105 b.

After a user selects the general category of content on the GUI 170, theuser is then presented with corresponding sub-lists and lists ofspecific named (titled) content to narrow the content choices to theone(s) the user wants. The sub-lists are navigable via finger buttonscroll or manual scroll which may be circular or wound vertically or thelike, depending on the device. Information regarding the user selectionand related information may be used in a search mechanism to makerecommendations for content based upon prior selections by the user, orbased on relations to similar preferences by the community. In somecircumstances, content may be presented in a premium access positionwithin the GUI 170 based upon a marketing relationship.

When the user selects or identifies through GUI 170, desiredadministrative server (part of the system management 120), responds witha data signal 110 indicating to the user with download options andspecifications as well as billing terms and acceptance queries. If theuser consents to the billing terms then the administrative server 120directs the content server (of storage module 125) to deliver the userselected content to the desired destination(s) for delivery thatcoincides with the right to do so by the content provider. Thecontinuity of such delivery is made capable by the present inventioninteroperability of server 115 and device 105 b design.

Delivery of content from the server system 115 by the present inventionmay be accomplished directly via data signal 110 to a device 105 b orthrough a requesting intermediary 395 such as a cable multiple systemoperators (MSO) or other third parties 150 or downloading signal 325.Content delivery from the server system 115 may also be conditionedbased upon the needs of the receiving device 105 b. File quality for aphone will be less than that of a computer screen, which will be lessthan that of a television. Each device may have respective specificdelivery parameters that may be prepared and delivered by the serversystem 115.

FIG. 4 illustrates the GUI 170 with the addition of the MY Content 375menu option discussed in FIG. 3, as displayed on a personal computerscreen 105 c. The menu allows for a simple scroll down 420 and click toselect original menu options such as radio shows 370, music or film 355,TV shows 360, software programs 365, live entertainment 350 and theusers own original content under the header of My Content 375. Userselection of one of these main menu subject headings leads to a submenu450 of specific content choices in the category of the user selectedmain Menu subject header 350, 355, 360, 365, 370 and 375.

FIG. 5 illustrates a cellular telephone 105 a in the present inventionwith GUI 170 main menu display and scrolling function 420.

FIG. 6 illustrates a television 105 d with the GUI 170 main menudisplay, scroll down navigation 420 and along three possible deliverypoints. Contents delivery in the television 105 d environment menuinclude (a) cable MSO 620 delivery most likely over a high speed digitalcable line (not shown), (b) a direct satellite connection (not shown) ora third party satellite connection 630 service, such as DirecTV, and (c)a global computer network 625. Each of these connections may require alarger program data file to be delivered or transmitted to thetelevision 105 d than if the data file was intended for a portabledevice such as iPod, a digital music player 105 b, or cellular phone 105a. By way of example, a full movie file for the iPod Video portabledevice is 1.1 gigabytes, while a digital versatile disc (DVD) that playson a television set is approximately 5.5 gigabytes or larger for a longmovie or for a high definition volumetric display (HDVD) that displaysan HDVD quality film on the TV.

FIG. 7 illustrates the compensation model 700 for the invention system100. Content owners 705 and distributors 715 provide the content for thesystem 100 including content that may be owned and controlled by thesystem operators themselves. The content becomes available with anyspecific usage rules agreed by the system and the content rightsholder(s) under the System portal 720. The users 725 agree toparticipate in the service, billing, and/or tracking of user activity isgenerated as the service system is utilized at 730 by the user 725.Revenue and/or profits collected (generated) by the system may then bedivided among a number of stakeholders including sub-distributors suchas networks, marketing partners, advertising agencies, advertisers orcable MSO's denoted in the Figure as Other 735. Other parties that maybe compensated include content owners 740, primary distributors 745 andportal, bandwidth, satellite or website portal owners 750.

FIG. 8 illustrates a computer network or similar digital processingenvironment in which the present invention may be implemented.

Client computer(s)/devices 50 and server computer(s) 60 provideprocessing, storage, and input/output devices executing applicationprograms and the like. Client computer(s)/devices 50 can also be linkedthrough communications network 70 to other computing devices, includingother client devices/processes 50 and server computer(s) 60.Communications network 70 can be part of a remote access network, aglobal network (e.g., the Internet), a worldwide collection ofcomputers, Local area or Wide area networks, and gateways that currentlyuse respective protocols (TCP/IP, Bluetooth, etc.) to communicate withone another. Other electronic device/computer network architectures aresuitable.

FIG. 9 is a diagram of the internal structure of a computer (e.g.,client processor/device 50 or server computers 60) in the computersystem of FIG. 8. Each computer 50, 60 contains system bus 79, where abus is a set of hardware lines used for data transfer among thecomponents of a computer or processing system. Bus 79 is essentially ashared conduit that connects different elements of a computer system(e.g., processor, disk storage, memory, input/output ports, networkports, etc.) that enables the transfer of information between theelements. Attached to system bus 79 is I/O device interface 82 forconnecting various input and output devices (e.g., keyboard, mouse,displays, printers, speakers, etc.) to the computer 50, 60. Networkinterface 86 allows the computer to connect to various other devicesattached to a network (e.g., network 70 of FIG. 8). Memory 90 providesvolatile storage for computer software instructions 92 and data 94 usedto implement an embodiment of the present invention (e.g. server 115elements, storage module 125 and GUI 170 detailed above). Disk storage95 provides non-volatile storage for computer software instructions 92and data 94 used to implement an embodiment of the present invention.Central processor unit 84 is also attached to system bus 79 and providesfor the execution of computer instructions.

In one embodiment, the processor routines 92 and data 94 are a computerprogram product (generally referenced 92), including a computer readablemedium (e.g., a removable storage medium such as one or more DVD-ROM's,CD-ROM's, diskettes, tapes, etc.) that provides at least a portion ofthe software instructions for the invention system. Computer programproduct 92 can be installed by any suitable software installationprocedure, as is well known in the art. In another embodiment, at leasta portion of the software instructions may also be downloaded over acable, communication and/or wireless connection. In other embodiments,the invention programs are a computer program propagated signal product107 embodied on a propagated signal on a propagation medium (e.g., aradio wave, an infrared wave, a laser wave, a sound wave, or anelectrical wave propagated over a global network such as the Internet,or other network(s)). Such carrier medium or signals provide at least aportion of the software instructions for the present inventionroutines/program 92.

In alternate embodiments, the propagated signal is an analog carrierwave or digital signal carried on the propagated medium. For example,the propagated signal may be a digitized signal propagated over a globalnetwork (e.g., the Internet), a telecommunications network, or othernetwork. In one embodiment, the propagated signal is a signal that istransmitted over the propagation medium over a period of time, such asthe instructions for a software application sent in packets over anetwork over a period of milliseconds, seconds, minutes, or longer. Inanother embodiment, the computer readable medium of computer programproduct 92 is a propagation medium that the computer system 50 mayreceive and read, such as by receiving the propagation medium andidentifying a propagated signal embodied in the propagation medium, asdescribed above for computer program propagated signal product.

Generally speaking, the term “carrier medium” or transient carrierencompasses the foregoing transient signals, propagated signals,propagated medium, storage medium and the like.

Further, the present invention may be implemented in a variety ofcomputer architectures. The computer network of FIGS. 8 and 9 are forpurposes of illustration and not limitation of the present invention.

While this invention has been particularly shown and described withreferences to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood bythose skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may bemade therein without departing from the scope of the inventionencompassed by the appended claims.

For example, the present invention provides a universal GUI 170 useableacross different devices 105 and device platforms. It is understood thatmany different devices may be accommodated by the present inventions.Further it is understood that other forms of contents may be employed.Many other methods and systems for delivery of contents are alsocontemplated herein, the foregoing being for purpose of illustration andnot limitation.

What is claimed is:
 1. A computer implemented method, comprising:determining, by a server configured to provide distribution of aplurality of different media types, a compatibility of an individualremote electronic device with the different media types according towhich of the different media types the individual remote electronicdevice is configured to execute; identifying, by the server, media typesthat are compatible with the individual remote electronic device;determining, by the server, an additional media type that is provided bythe server for distribution, wherein the additional media type is notcompatible with the individual remote electronic device; and upgrading,by the server, the individual remote electronic device to be compatiblewith the additional media type in response to determining the additionalmedia type, wherein the upgraded individual remote electronic device isconfigured to execute the additional media type in response to beingupgraded.
 2. The computer implemented method according to claim 1,further comprising: providing one or more representations of mediacontent to the individual remote electronic device following theupgrading; tracking usage of the media content; and registering themedia content.
 3. The computer implemented method according to claim 1,further comprising: providing one or more representations of the mediacontent to the individual remote electronic device following theupgrading; wherein providing the one or more representations of themedia content comprises delivering the one or more representations ofthe media content via any one of a high speed digital cable line, adirect satellite connection, a third party satellite connection service,or a global computer network communication.
 4. The computer implementedmethod according to claim 1, wherein determining the compatibility ofthe individual remote electronic device comprises comparing a listing ofcompatible media types of one or more digital music players, cellularphones, computers, video players, or televisions with the differentmedia types.
 5. The computer implemented method according to claim 1,further comprising: receiving, from the individual remote electronicdevice, a user request for distribution of media content to theindividual remote electronic device; wherein receiving the user requestincludes receiving a request for the media content that comprises music,ring tones, movies, live programs, software applications, radioprograms, or other textual, graphical, audio, video, or audiovisualcontent.
 6. The computer implemented method according to claim 1,further comprising: receiving, from the individual remote electronicdevice, a user request for distribution of media content to theindividual remote electronic device; wherein receiving the user requestcomprises monitoring a signal for an indication of the media content. 7.The computer implemented method according to claim 1, furthercomprising: delivering one or more representations of media content to athird party storage device.
 8. The computer implemented method accordingto claim 7, wherein delivering the one or more representations of themedia content to a third party storage device further comprisesdelivering the one or more representations of the media content from apassword protected website.
 9. The computer implemented method accordingto claim 1, wherein the different media types are provided by differentcontent distributors, and wherein the computer implemented methodfurther comprises instituting a billing arrangement with a contentdistributor that provides media content, wherein upon completion of thebilling arrangement, the media content is provided by the contentdistributor.
 10. The computer implemented method of claim 1, furthercomprising: providing, by the server, data corresponding to compatiblemedia content to the remote individual electronic device in response toidentifying the compatible media types, the providing to enable theindividual remote electronic device to display a user interface toenable user selection of the compatible media content.
 11. A memorydevice having instructions stored thereon that, in response to executionby a processing device, cause the processing device to performoperations comprising: determining, by a server configured to providedistribution of a plurality of different media types, a compatibility ofan individual remote electronic device with the different media typesaccording to which of the different media types the individual remoteelectronic device is configured to execute; identifying, by the server,media types that are compatible with the individual remote electronicdevice; determining, by the server, an additional media type that isprovided by the server for distribution, wherein the additional mediatype is not compatible with the individual remote electronic device; andupgrading, by the server, the individual remote electronic device to becompatible with the additional media type in response to determining theadditional media type, wherein the upgraded individual remote electronicdevice is configured to execute the additional media type in response tobeing upgraded.
 12. The memory device of claim 11, wherein theoperations further comprise: providing one or more representations ofmedia content to the individual remote electronic device following theupgrading; tracking usage of the media content; and registering themedia content.
 13. The memory device of claim 11, wherein the operationsfurther comprise: providing one or more representations of the mediacontent to the individual remote electronic device following theupgrading; wherein providing the one or more representations of themedia content comprises delivering the one or more representations ofthe media content via any one of a high speed digital cable line, adirect satellite connection, a third party satellite connection service,or a global computer network communication.
 14. The memory device ofclaim 11, wherein determining the compatibility of the individual remoteelectronic device comprises comparing a listing of compatible mediatypes of one or more digital music players, cellular phones, computers,video players, or televisions with the different media types.
 15. Thememory device of claim 11, wherein the operations further comprise:receiving, from the individual remote electronic device, a user requestfor distribution of media content to the individual remote electronicdevice; wherein receiving the user request includes receiving a requestfor the media content that comprises music, ring tones, movies, liveprograms, software applications, radio programs, or other textual,graphical, audio, video, or audiovisual content.
 16. The memory deviceof claim 11, wherein the operations further comprise: receiving, fromthe individual remote electronic device, a user request for distributionof media content to the individual remote electronic device; whereinreceiving the user request comprises monitoring a signal for anindication of the media content.
 17. The memory device of claim 11,wherein the operations further comprise: delivering one or morerepresentations of media content to a third party storage device. 18.The memory device of claim 17, wherein delivering the one or morerepresentations of the media content to a third party storage devicefurther comprises delivering the one or more representations of themedia content from a password protected website.
 19. The memory deviceof claim 11, wherein the different media types are provided by differentcontent distributors, and wherein the computer implemented methodfurther comprises instituting a billing arrangement with a contentdistributor that provides media content, wherein upon completion of thebilling arrangement, the media content is provided by the contentdistributor.
 20. The memory device of claim 11, wherein the operationsfurther comprise: providing, by the server, data corresponding tocompatible media content to the remote individual electronic device inresponse to identifying the compatible media types, the providing toenable the individual remote electronic device to display a userinterface to enable user selection of the compatible media content.